MP Meekail asks govt to clarify stand, expedite issuance of housing

A lawmaker from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) submitted an emergency motion to the Parliament on Tuesday, urging the new administration to expedite the issuance of housing to people who received official documents for lands and flats under the MDP administration’s ‘Binveriya’ and ‘Gedhoruveriya’ housing schemes.

Presenting the motion, South Galolhu MP Ahmed Meekail Naseem accused the current administration of making contradictory statements regarding the issuance of housing under the schemes.

He asked the administration to clarify its policy, and hand over housing to the thousands who have received their documents.

Meekail said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had promised during the presidential campaign that he would not seize lands and flats awarded under public housing schemes, and that thousands had voted for him, based on that promise.

However, after taking office, the administration cast doubt over the legitimacy of some of the registrations issued for land under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, he said.

Meekail said that the new Housing Minister Dr. Ali Haidar, during his first press conference last week, said that some of the land registries shouldn’t have been issued, and threatened to change the location of the land plots.

He said that Haidar also warned that applications may have to be resubmitted for flats under the ‘Gedhoruveriya’ scheme.

Meekail expressed concern that while there is no budget allocation for the development and establishment of basic facilities in Hulhumale’, Gulhifalhu or Giraavaru – where land was issued under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme, there is a MVR 400 million budget allocation for land reclamation in Fushidhiggarufalhu.

He said it makes the administration’s policy questionable.

The emergency motion was accepted for debate with the unanimous vote of 29 on Tuesday morning.

During the debate, Meekail said the new administration has begun to show its “true colors.”

He accused the administration of going back on his electoral pledge not seize land and flats from any of the recipients.

“They are going to reclaim a completely new area and distribute land to who they want, from where they want,” he said.

 “We must stop this, for as long as MDP holds a majority here [at the Parliament]. We must interfere in this to protect the rights of the people.”

Meekail accused the administration of attempting to garner votes for the upcoming parliamentary elections through coercion.

He said a review of the 2024 state budget “makes the attempt to steal housing of Male’ residents clear.” He urged the Parliament against endorsing the new Housing Minster.